SEA FISHERIES. 15 



but they really only add to the confusion, thus: the 

 aggregate tonnage of some of the boats in each of these 

 classes at particular ports is given, and the remainder are 

 arranged in different groups, according to their length 

 of keel, many of the latter being evidently much 

 larger boats than those whose size is recorded by 

 tonnage. There are certain things broadly indicated, 

 however, by these official returns, imperfect as they 

 are, in respect to the second and third classes, and 

 these are that there has been a great increase in the 

 number and tonnage of the first-class boats, and a 

 marked decrease in the number of the second and 

 third class fishing boats. And, from information that 

 I have obtained since the publication of the last official 

 return, I am enabled to say that the change is still 

 going on in the same direction. The larger size is 

 especially noticeable in the case of the North Sea 

 trawlers, and the increase in the number of trawlers 

 at almost every station is very remarkable. Every 

 yard in which such vessels are built (and fishing craft 

 of this kind are usually constructed only at places 

 where their requirements are well understood) is full 

 of work, and orders are waiting their turn for execu- 

 tion. I have reason to believe that there are now suffi- 

 cient orders given for new vessels of the largest size, 

 known as trawl-boats, to occupy two years in their 

 completion. The cost of trawl-boats, owing to their 

 larger size and the greater expense of all the materials 

 used in their construction, has increased within the 

 last fifteen years from 7001. or 800Z. to upwards of 

 1200Z. each. 



